The Final Chapter Read online

  “Yeah. It’s an ongoing problem we’ve been trying to deal with for a long time.”

  “And he says the inner city is running out of rats. And that soon those same people will be starving to death.”

  “What’s your plan?”

  “I want to take two of your female officers in there with a couple of nuns.”

  Scarlett laughed almost hysterically and said, “You know nuns?”

  “Yes. Why is that so funny?”

  “John, you don’t exactly strike me as an overly religious guy.”

  “I don’t flaunt it, no. But I’m a believer.”

  “And you’re Catholic?”

  “No. I know the nuns from the Alamo. From my police days. I dealt a lot with Sister Mary Beth. And with Father John too.”

  “So what’s your plan?”

  “I want to go into the projects with a couple of Sister Mary Beth’s nuns and two female police officers.

  “Let’s face it. Your female officers are just as tough and just as competent as your male officers. But at the same time they’re not as intimidating. They’re not as scary.

  “I think the people in the projects will feel less threatened by them.”

  “I see your point.”

  “As for the nuns, they have the credibility that none of us have.

  “I think the residents of the projects will listen to them in a way they won’t listen to cops or city representatives.

  “There are very few sure things in life. Death and taxes are two of them.

  “Another, perhaps, is that nuns don’t lie. It’s just not in their nature.

  “Whether you’re a person who believes in God or not, everybody knows that nuns are a symbol of good, not evil. No way no how will nuns try to deceive you.

  “If nuns go into the projects to try to coax people out, and if you send female officers instead of big burly cops to protect them and to back them up, they might have more success than you or I going in there.”

  -34-

  Rhett was skeptical.

  “Well gee whiz, John. Why stop there? Why not throw in some puppy dogs and rainbows as well? Maybe the puppy dogs could ride into the projects on unicorns and pass out cotton candy and lollipops to all the kids.”

  Scarlett put a hand on Rhett’s arm and said, “Rhett, don’t…”

  John said, “It’s okay. I expected some resistance to the idea.

  “Your officers may balk at it too.

  “Heck, the nuns themselves may refuse to go.

  “I’m just asking you for permission to try, that’s all.”

  “When do you want to do this?”

  “I’d like to set it up for this afternoon.”

  “It’ll take longer than that.

  “I won’t send my officers into those projects unless they want to go. It’s dangerous and we’re not liked or appreciated, or even wanted there.”

  “Your officers are afraid to go into the projects?”

  “I didn’t say that. My officers are afraid of nothing.

  “At the same time, though, there are a lot of guns in those projects and a lot of people who are angry at the cops and anyone else they see as a representative of the government.

  “I’ll have to find a couple of willing volunteers and brief them ahead of time on what you have planned.

  “You were going to head back to Kerrville this evening. I don’t think I can get two officers who meet your criteria and get them ready by then.”

  “What if I go back tomorrow evening instead?”

  “Isn’t Hannah expecting you back tonight?”

  “No. Our ham radio is out, remember? I told her I didn’t know for sure what day I’d be back and that I’d be out of touch.

  “She doesn’t know if I’ll be back tonight or three or four nights from now.”

  “You really want to prove this theory of yours, don’t you?”

  “Yes. I’m convinced it will work to some degree. I’m sure it will save some lives. Maybe not everybody, but some. Maybe a lot.

  “It’s worth a try.”

  Rhett looked to Scarlett, who shrugged her shoulders and said, “You might as well let him try. You’ve tried everything else to coax the people out of those projects and nothing else has worked.”

  Rhett studied his palms for several moments.

  “I don’t know, John. I don’t like the idea of putting the nuns in harm’s way.

  “The blackout has affected everyone differently.

  “It’s brought out the best in some people.

  “In others it’s brought out the worst.

  “In some people the constant hunger and constant fear have driven them borderline insane. The same people who spread the rumors the city is trying to kill them might see your plan as an attack on their liberties.

  “Who’s to say somebody won’t get shot?”

  John held his ground.

  “Rhett, your officers go to work every single day knowing there’s a chance they might be shot.

  “Hell, every single one of us, officer or civilian, knows we could get shot just walking down the street each day.”

  Scarlett said, “Listen to him, Rhett. His plan might work, and it might not. But it’s better than Operation Wrecking Ball.”

  Her words caught John by surprise.

  He’d never heard of Operation Wrecking Ball.

  He asked the obvious question.

  “What in heck is that?”

  Rhett gave Scarlett an unmistakable look.

  A “you’re not supposed to talk about that” kind of look.

  She winced just a tad and said, “Sorry. But you were thinking the very same thing, I know you.”

  Rhett looked at John and explained, “Operation Wrecking Ball is a secret plan the city is getting ready to implement.

  “The city council approved it about a week ago and they’re waiting for the city maintenance crews to finish getting some heavy equipment ready.”

  “What kind of ‘heavy equipment?’”

  “A couple of bulldozers, a couple of dump trucks… and a wrecking ball.”

  “You’re going to tear down the projects?”

  “Yes.”

  “But why? Aren’t those people suffering enough?”

  “John, I don’t like it any more than you do. It’s a decision that was made way above my pay grade.”

  “By who?”

  “The city council.”

  “Mayor Rodriguez?”

  “No. The mayor opposed the idea. But the council outvoted him.

  “The council says they realize it’s an assault on the individual liberties of those who live in the projects.

  “At the same time, though, they’re saying the residents aren’t acting in their own best interests. That by staying in the projects they’re subjecting themselves to starvation when there’s plenty of food available outside the projects.

  “There are homes available too. A lot of them.

  “Nicer homes than they’re living in now.”

  “How’s it going to work?”

  “Once the last two pieces of equipment are readied they’re going to go into the projects under police escort.

  “They’ll make sure the first building, the one that’s easiest to get to, is empty.

  “If there are people in it, they’ll be told they have twenty four hours to vacate. At that time the wrecking ball will start tearing the place down.

  “Anyone who challenges them will be given a flyer that says the city has condemned the projects and is tearing them down.

  “The flyer will tell them to report to the old Post Office across the street from the Alamo.

  “It’ll tell them they’ll be given a ride in a city vehicle to abandoned houses, in any part of town they choose to relocate to.

  “They’ll be told that once they decide on a house they can live there, rent free, for the next three years. At the end of three years if they’re still there and working a full-time job the house will be g
iven to them.”

  -35-

  “John, it’s the only humane way to get them out of there. Once they’re relocated in another neighborhood they’ll realize the city is not their enemy.

  “And the police really are there to serve and protect, like it says on our police cars.”

  “Why are you trying to convince me this is a good idea, Rhett? I thought you said you opposed the idea.”

  “Damn it, John, I do. I’m like you. I don’t like it when any level of government comes stomping in and telling us what to do or where to go.

  “But I’m an obedient soldier, just like you. When those in office make a decision we have to carry it out, whether we like it or not.

  “It’s no different when you were in the Marines.

  “You once told me you had an idiot second lieutenant, fresh out of the academy.

  “You called him a ninety day wonder. You said he didn’t know his ass from his head. And you said he made the worst decisions of any officer you’d ever seen.”

  “I remember.”

  “And you said every time he made a stupid decision you tried to talk him out of it.

  “You said that most of the time he recognized you were much more experienced than he was and yielded to your better judgment.

  “But you also told me he was stubborn, and occasionally insisted you do things his way.

  “And it was those times you swallowed hard and pressed on, following his orders and trying your hardest to keep your men from being injured or killed.

  “You said a Marine’s role isn’t to ask why. A Marine’s role is to do or die.”

  “Not if we can help it.”

  “That’s what you told me, John. Do you remember telling me that?”

  “Yes. I do.”

  “It’s the same thing.

  “I thought Project Wrecking Ball was a bad idea. So did the police chief. We both went before the city council and told them so.

  “Even the mayor told them so. But when they took their vote they won.

  “Project Wrecking Ball was approved. And now since it’s been approved it’s up to my department to help carry it out.

  “And just like you sometimes had to follow flawed orders in the Corps, and worked hard to keep your men alive, we’ll be doing the same thing in this case.”

  “What if your wrecking crew comes under fire?”

  “The SWAT team will be standing by.

  “If the wrecking crew comes under fire they’ll stand down until the SWAT team comes in and clears the area.

  “Then they’ll resume their activities.”

  “So that’s their plan? To just raze the first house they come to and then work their way forward, tearing down every additional building until they destroy the whole housing project?”

  “Yes. And then to move on to the next project.”

  “Rhett, all it’s going to do is force the residents to keep backing up, abandoning one building and taking up residence in the next one.”

  “For some of them, yes.

  “The city thinks that for most of them, they’ll see the writing on the wall. They’ll see their home is going to be destroyed whether they like it or not.

  “The flyers will eat at them. Make them think.

  “And they’ll eventually come to their senses and figure if they’re going to be homeless anyway they’ve got nothing to lose. That they might as well take the city up on their proposal and see what else is out there.”

  “And they think it’s going to solve the problem?”

  “They’re not sure.

  “Even the city council will admit to that. But they say they’ve got to do something to avoid a mass casualty situation.

  “And they’ve put a lot of thought into this plan, John. I don’t like the plan either, but I have to at least give them that.”

  “For example, putting the registration office at the old city post office was not by mere chance.

  “They could have set it up anywhere.

  “They could even have set it up in the projects, so the residents didn’t have to leave the projects to sign up for the program.”

  “So why’d they set it up at the post office?”

  “Because it’s across the street from the Alamo.

  “And because it’s just a few short blocks from the housing projects. It’s within walking distance. It’s in the downtown area, where the residents used to do their shopping.

  “It’s more recognizable and more comfortable for the project residents.

  “The city even had some psychologists look at the project. They said the residents are likely to venture out for a short distance, to get their feet wet, if you will, if their destination was somewhere close by and some place they were familiar with.”

  “Oh, the shrinks thought this was a good idea. Well, bless their little hearts, that makes it fine and dandy then.”

  “John, let me finish.

  “The shrinks think they’ll come as far as the post office. And while they’re there they’ll see the people across the street in Alamo Plaza enjoying a free meal.

  “They’ll be encouraged to go over and get one themselves.

  “Most will do it because they’ll be hungry.

  “Then we’ll let the regulars to the Alamo meals do the rest. They can explain to the project residents that they come there every day for a free meal.

  “And that they too had the opportunity to move into one of the abandoned homes. That the program is open to all. Rich or poor, it doesn’t matter. The city would rather have the homes occupied than to let them slowly disintegrate.

  “And oh, by the way, they’ll have medical personnel on hand at the post office to treat those who come out.

  “It’s the best idea the city has come up with so far, John.

  “Yes, we’re going to step on their civil liberties when we destroy their homes.

  “But we’ve got much better arrangements for them, if they’ll just give us a chance and listen to us.”

  -36-

  “I still don’t like it,” John said with a huff.

  “I don’t either, John. But that’s not going to stop it from happening.”

  “I still want to try my way.”

  “I’ll line up two female officers for you tomorrow. I think I know two who’ll volunteer.

  “One of them used to be a social worker.

  “The other worked her way up out of the Victoria Courts projects and went to college. She’s one of my best officers. The people in VC know her and respect her.

  “And they probably trust her more than they trust any of my other officers.”

  “Can you have them meet me in front of the Alamo at fifteen hundred tomorrow?”

  “Fifteen hundred?”

  “Three p.m., smart aleck.”

  “I know. I just think it’s funny how you still use military time when you’re peeved. It’s like you never left the Corps.”

  “I haven’t left the Corps. A Marine is a Marine for life, whether he likes it or not.”

  “I’ll make sure they’re there.”

  “I want to go too,” Scarlett announced.

  John’s draw dropped.

  So did Rhett’s, for that matter.

  “Honey, no,” Rhett said. “It could be dangerous.”

  “I don’t believe that. I think those people are just scared because heartless people are taking advantage of their vulnerabilities and putting wild thoughts into their heads.

  “I think a contingent of level-headed women who talk plainly to them without yelling at them just might do the trick.”

  She looked at John and said, “Count me in.”

  Rhett knew any further attempts to talk her out of it would fall on deaf ears.

  “Well, would you at least wear a sidearm?”

  “Of course. I’m not stupid, you know.”

  The following day John arrived an hour early at the Alamo to find Sister Mary Beth feeding a baby beneath one of the huge oak trees in A
lamo Plaza.

  “Congratulations, Sister. Another immaculate conception, I presume.”

  “Hello, John. Your humor is sub-par, as usual. But it’s nice to see you again.”

  One of the things John had always liked most about Sister Mary Beth was her sharp wit and keen sense of humor.

  She was sixty but looked seventy, with more than her share of gray hairs and wrinkles, yet was still a card and a joy to be around.

  “Actually, this little man was giving his mother fits. I told her I’d take care of him so she could enjoy her meal in peace.

  “He was just hungry, it turned out.”

  The baby boy spit the bottle out of his mouth and yawned mightily.

  She put the bottle aside and put him on her shoulder to burp him.

  He promptly fell asleep and she returned him to her arms and gently rocked him back and forth.

  She lowered her voice to a whisper.

  “Where have you been and why did you have to come back?”

  She smiled so he understood it wasn’t a rebuke, but rather a tease between friends.

  “Why you know I couldn’t stay away from my best girl for long. I’ve missed you too much.”

  “Now don’t you start any rumors, young man. I’ve got my hands full already with helpers who won’t help, counselors who won’t counsel and workers who won’t work.”

  “Actually, Sister, I’m here to ask a favor.”

  “And what would that be?”

  “I’d like to borrow two of your sisters.”

  “For some scandalous purpose, no doubt.”

  “No, not at all. I want them to go into the Victoria Courts projects with myself and my friend Scarlett and two female police officers.”

  “Why, in God’s name?”

  “Isn’t that using the Lord’s name in vain?”

  “It most certainly is not.”

  John liked that he started to rankle her feathers just a bit, but thought it wise to back off before she got too rankled to help him.

  “I’m sorry, ma’am. The residents of the projects are in a tight spot.

  “They’re not getting enough food to sustain them. They’re starting to starve.